"Duel in the Pacific", that's how this special issue of Steel Masters #20 is named. And you can really talk about a duel here! In our occidental lands, the Pacific conflict has always seemed far to me on the modelling level. Of course, I've seen movies on this part of the War, know that the deadliest battles took place there, so useless is to say that my interested is reaching climax.

Menu : 2 historical articles on the LVT and the light tank Type 95 Ha-Go, then 11 articles on models... There's enough to please everyone! Finally a practical sheet on how to build a pattern for the wheels axes. It is perfect, since Emilien Pépin, aka El Diablo (his blog is here), was already talking about it in the Atelier Steel Masters #1 (which I strongly recommand you).

"Breakthrough in Tarawa" is breathtaking. The diorama is exceptionnally rich, exotic and very well balanced. Jorge Porto and R. Cabos have both made an outstanding step-by-step, where each step is clearly explained, from building the Sherman to realizing the diorama! A big bravo!

Kamil Feliks Sztarbala's M4A2 PTO, whose excellent YA-12 had already surprised me (at least) is hallucinating. Sincerely, the richness of this scene is simply staggering. Moreover this Sherman offers very surprising details, between the edgehog and the turtle. Everything is explained with a shocking transparency.

The LVT(A)4 shown on the cover, is also one of my favorites. I like the care taken by Michel Pérez Blasco, on the details, but most of all on the weathering and the figures. The scene is really lively.

Antonio Perdices and José Luis Lopez have also realized a wonderful Lanchester Mk.II. Nothing more to add. Read the article, you'll see that this model suffered the excellence of these experimented modellers. It's beautiful!

Jari Hemilä's LVT4 is also very interesting. The contrast between the internal and external parts of this Water Buffalo is very strong. The water streaks mixed with dust are strongly represented, but take nothing out of the general quality of his work.

So... I'm not going to write a 300-page message, but if you've not purchased this special issue, don't wait any longer. The works are fabulous! Steel Masters is really getting on quality. The pages are clearer to read than before. I like the clarity of the pages, despite some remaining "aboves" and "belows". But, yes, there is much more clarity in the reading and I'd like this to be generalized to the "ordinary" issues. The photographs are also much better and the pleasure of reading is here! Bravo! Keep going!